The Spanish midfielder has fallen down Carlo Ancelotti’s pecking order at Real Madrid and is victim of Isco’s excellent form at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Illarramendi has only started three La Liga games this season and as such will surely be frustrated with his lack of opportunities to play.

Although the Gunners are being accredited with an interest in the star, former club Real Sociedad could well be suitors also as David Moyes has admitted that he would welcome the player back to Anoeta.

"I know the player and his qualities well,” Moyes stated in a press conference, quoted by AS.

“When I was at Everton I looked at him. It seems that Real Madrid don't want to use him and I'd be delighted if he came here, but we need all the information from Madrid so that we can see what might happen."

Gareth McKnight

I am a freelance football journalist from Northern Ireland, currently living and working from Broome in Western Australia. After a degree in sports journalism from the University of Stirling in Scotland, I started in the online football world and have worked for leading websites and media outlets since. My knowledge and passion is based around the Premier League and European football, but I also have a soft spot for the Australian A-League.